Aurora teen killed in late-night crash

15-year-old football player was riding with friends

An Aurora police officer is posted beside the site where an airborne car that had carried four teens struck a house at the end of a cul-de-sac. (Alex Garcia, Tribune photo)

Devin Meadows was looking forward to playing varsity football next year at Metea Valley High School, friends recalled Tuesday after the sophomore described as a "charismatic and talented" athlete was killed in a car crash.

Meadows, 15, of Aurora, was one of four teens riding in a car that hit a curb at high speed, went airborne and slammed into a garage, authorities said.

"He was happy he finally became a varsity football player," said friend and teammate Tanner Stone, 16, who visited the scene of the crash in Aurora with other classmates.

The four teens were in a 2012 Chevy Malibu that belonged to one of their fathers, who didn't realize the car had been taken, authorities said. The driver, who does not have a license, was traveling too fast around a curve near Indian Trail Road when he lost control, police said. The crash occurred shortly before 2 a.m. Tuesday.

The driver and the two other passengers — all 15-year-old boys from Aurora and Naperville — suffered minor injuries, police said.

"We are assuming speed had a lot to do with the crash," said Aurora police Lt. Pete Inda.

Meadows was thrown from the vehicle. Police said he was sitting in the back seat and was the only one not wearing a seat belt.

When reached by phone Tuesday, Meadows' parents did not wish to comment.

Hari Chandra, his wife and two young children were shaken from sleep by what sounded like an explosion when the car crashed into their house, tucked at the end of a normally quiet cul-de-sac.

Chandra said he rushed outside to find the three boys who survived trying to help Meadows.

"The other kids will learn a lesson, but God didn't give him a chance," Chandra said. "They didn't run away; they stayed with their friend."

One of the teens flagged down a passer-by to call 911, said a neighbor who asked not to be identified.

She said she "saw three kids running down the street. One boy was just screaming hysterically. He had lost control of his car and crashed into the house."

"When we got down there ... there was a young boy lying on the street. You could tell he was dead," the neighbor said, adding that the driver "was in shock."

The shock spread to Meadows' friends and school officials in the hours after the crash.

Throughout the morning, students gathered near the yellow police tape around the spot where Meadows died.

Tom High, 16, a Metea Valley junior, said he was among the first to befriend Meadows after he and his family moved to Aurora about four years ago.

"I was just skating around and I asked him if he wanted to skate," High said. "I remember thinking he was really nice and funny."

Both High and Stone had been with Meadows on Saturday evening, they said.

"We were just hanging out at my house. We took him home around 8:30. I still can't believe this," Stone said. "He was so talented."

Friends described Meadows as outgoing and confident and unafraid to issue a friendly challenge to upper-class football players.

Meadows played wide receiver and wore the number 30 for the Metea Valley Mustangs sophomore team, but was recently promoted to the varsity.

"He had a competitive spirit but he was a really nice guy too," Stone said.

School officials were also impressed with Meadows. The head football coach, Ben Kleinhans, issued a statement praising Meadows and offering condolences to his family.

"Devin Meadows was a charismatic and talented member of the football and track programs," he said. "Not only was he an outstanding student-athlete but he was an even better teammate and friend."

Metea Valley Principal Jim Schmid said Meadows was "a great, great kid" who "always had a big smile."

He said the school has been providing support services to students throughout the day.

"The kids have (also) been supportive of one another," Schmid said. "You can feel how heavy the hallways are."

High said he wrote a message to Meadows on large sheets of paper set out at the high school.

"I wrote, 'Love you bro,' and I couldn't write anymore," he said, dabbing the corner of his eye with his sleeve.